Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[Crafty Cumbrian]

I emailed Carmina and they surgested UK 8.5 for a snug fit, would you say that is correct.

Nah I’d go same size. You’d be crippled!

 

[DorianGreen]

An Oxford in Burdeos calf on the Simpson last.

 

[Pascal1980]

An Oxford in Burdeos calf on the Simpson last.


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Hello DorianGreen,

are you satisfied with the quality in terms of longlivity of the Carmina shoes? How does the blind stiching wear down, so does the stiching does not become visible soon due to wearing the outsole down?

Enjoy your day and best regards

Pascal

 

[DorianGreen]

Hello DorianGreen,

are you satisfied with the quality in terms of longlivity of the Carmina shoes? How does the blind stiching wear down, so does the stiching does not become visible soon due to wearing the outsole down?

Enjoy your day and best regards

Pascal

Hi Pascal, thanks for liking and interest. Keep in mind that I have a pretty large rotation, but this is probably one of my oldest pairs (more than 10 years old). The stitching is now visible, but I can't tell you when it began to, it's not a detail I would care much about.

The quality is probably not on par with, say, Edward Green or John Lobb, but still very satisfying for me, at a very much more reasonable price.

 

[Pascal1980]

Hi Pascal, thanks for liking and interest. Keep in mind that I have a pretty large rotation, but this is probably one of my oldest pairs (more than 10 years old). The stitching is now visible, but I can't tell you when it began to, it's not a detail I would care much about.

The quality is probably not on par with, say, Edward Green or John Lobb, but still very satisfying for me, at a very much more reasonable price.

Thanks DorianGreen,

for 10 years the shoes look very good. I would also not by shoes from EG, JL or GG, because I think these are a little bit overprized for factory-made GYW shoes.

As soon as the closed sole stiching becomes available, is it not time to replace the soles?

Best regards

Pascal

 

[DorianGreen]

Thanks DorianGreen,

for 10 years the shoes look very good. I would also not by shoes from EG, JL or GG, because I think these are a little bit overprized for factory-made GYW shoes.

As soon as the closed sole stiching becomes available, is it not time to replace the soles?

Best regards

Pascal

I think you mean visible. You could, of course, but if you, like me, have a large rotation, it's not mandatory. The sole feels a bit softer right now, but could still have well not few wears remained.

 

[NORE]

Thanks DorianGreen,

for 10 years the shoes look very good. I would also not by shoes from EG, JL or GG, because I think these are a little bit overprized for factory-made GYW shoes.

As soon as the closed sole stiching becomes available, is it not time to replace the soles?

Best regards

Pascal

If i may, stitches becoming visible, is not necessarily a sign the sole needs to be replaced. What I do is check the center of the sole to see if it's easily depressed. If so, it's time. If not, you have more time. Just don't wear into the welt.

 

[Schweino]

If i may, stitches becoming visible, is not necessarily a sign the sole needs to be replaced. What I do is check the center of the sole to see if it's easily depressed. If so, it's time. If not, you have more time. Just don't wear into the welt.

This indeed. The GY stitches can be fully worn and that will be fine (because they are lock-stitched). I replace the soles when the soles under the ball of the foot becomes paper thin, and not before that.

If you are hard wearing on the toes, keep an eye on the welt in the toe area so it won't be damaged and have a leather or rubber toe piece installed when the sole in the toe area is worn.

 

[Zapasman]

I emailed Carmina and they surgested UK 8.5 for a snug fit, would you say that is correct.

I take those. 325last 9uk. Oscar last plain toe 8.5uk (instep a bit lower) and one of my best fittings (snug but really comfortable). Oscar last boot 9 uk with more room perfect for a boot.

 

[Zapasman]

Thanks DorianGreen,

for 10 years the shoes look very good. I would also not by shoes from EG, JL or GG, because I think these are a little bit overprized for factory-made GYW shoes.

As soon as the closed sole stiching becomes available, is it not time to replace the soles?

Best regards

Pascal

With C&J, Carmina & Vass you have more than enough. No need to buy more expensive shoes. Remember, last comes first.

 

[Pascal1980]

With C&J, Carmina & Vass you have more than enough. No need to buy more expensive shoes. Remember, last comes first.

Hello Zapasman,

I agree with you that the mid-price GYW shoes from CJ (benchgrade), Carmina, Vass and TLB Mallorca Artista Line are more than sufficient for a high-quality longlasting wardrobe. My personal limit is 1000€ including lasted shoe trees for the C&J handgrade shoes.

In Paris my girlfriend, a seamstress in her leisure time, liked the better finished edges of the upper leather of Carmina better than the CJ shoes. She was surprised that CJ is more expensive than Carmina. She took a different look at the stiching and edge treatment of the upper and inner lining leathers of the shoes.

Best regards

Pascal

 

[mebiuspower]

^Labour cost is much higher in UK than Spain.

 

[vmss]

With C&J, Carmina & Vass you have more than enough. No need to buy more expensive shoes. Remember, last comes first.

I would add Bonafe also in this list.

 

[Pascal1980]

^Labour cost is much higher in UK than Spain.

Yes, in particular on Mallorca the wages are lower than in the most prosperous regions of mainland Spain.

I was surprised how large the difference in wages on Mallorca and in UK was.

Best regards

Pascal

 

[Pascal1980]

I would add Bonafe also in this list.

And Heinrich-Dinkelacker, which are often on sale and in particular interesting for men with wider feet. I like the "Milano" (F/G width which is narrow/middle in Germany) and "Luzern" (middle G width) lasts.

Best regards

Pascal